Interview with Stefano Zamagni on the occasion of the Italian EoC Convention

Giving "wings" to civil businesses and those of communion

By Antonella Ferrucci

Professor Zamagni, next week at Loppiano the awaited Italian EoC Convention will take place. You will not be able to attend, but if you had to tell us your thoughts about this important moment for the Italian EoC, what would you say?

I would begin with two pieces of news. The first: the bishop of Rimini in his pastoral letter for the New Year, presented a few days ago, makes reference to the Economy of Communion, practically saying that the Christian form of doing economy is the Economy of Communion. The second: I just returned from Brussels where I was at the European Parliament for a conference on the pope's Encyclical, and many deputies were present.

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Economist Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, thanks to the life experience shared, highlighted their specific contribution to the development of business.

Youth and women, potential that ought to be recognized

By Chiara Andreola
Published on cittanuova.it on 20/09/2010

"They've asked me to explain why youth and women are an economic resource. But after the experiences that we've heard, I think that this (my talk) is useless." Sr. Alessandra Smerilli's opening did not surprise the public present on the last morning of Loppiano Lab, because those who had spoken before her had already answered this question with their lives. Smerilli recalled a few facts: in this country, these two categories of people represent 60 percent of the population. However, Parliament is composed 18 percent by women, and the average age there is above 50. And at the same time, 88 percent of youth have unstable jobs, while the employment of women is stuck at 47 percent compared to the European average of 60 percent. The presenters who preceded here had proposed a practical layout of the specific qualities of the youth and feminine world that Sr. Alessandra had indicated as precious for economic development. 

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Stefano Zamagni e Maria Voce gli ospiti speciali dell'evento centrale di LoppianoLab,  sabato 22 settembre dalle 15.30 presso l'Auditorium di Loppiano: prevista la diretta streaming

By Press office LoppianoLab 2012, 18/09/2012

A workshop to build an Italy with the contribution of all, experts and citizens: this is the scene at Loppianolab.  Point of encounter and synthesis of the ‘four day’ appointment will be a meeting held on Saturday September 22 entitled ‘Italy Europe. A single workshop for young people, work and innovation’.  Results, proposals and paths will enrich that cultural, political, civil, economic, and educative universe which can contribute in regenerating the social fabric of our country.  Participating in this encounter will be Tiziana Ferraio, TG1 journalist, Paolo Ponzano, special Councillor for the European Commission, and Stefano Zamagni, economist.  Riccardo Barlaam, journalist for ‘The sun 24 hours’ will lead the in-depth meeting.

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Loppianolab, the 2nd Italian Convention of the Economy of Communion

"EoC: companies, projects and future"

It is on Saturday, September 17, at  Lionello Bonfanti Business Park, that the 2nd Italian Convention of EoC will take place. Last year in September we were left with the desire to repeat this experience and in effect, after the events in Brazil for EoC’s 20 years since its birth on May 29, 1991, an Italian celebration could not be missed: companies with entrepreneurs and employees, scholars and all those with the most varied titles in Italy that are interested in the Economy of Communion will be able to meet, assess the achievements thus far and above all to explore together future prospects.

What does it mean today, in times of economic and financial crisis that we are living, to do business? What can new perspectives and elements offer in this Economy of Communion debate? What are the signs of hope?

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Donated profits have increased even during two years of crisis. But the true balance sheet of the Economy of Communion lies in the reduction of the number of those in need

The poor, the true balance sheet of the EoC

By Chiara Andreola
Published on cittanuova.it on 18/09/2010

An economic paradigm that lives not out of solidarity, but because it is brought ahead by creative entrepreneurs: this is the main line of development of the Economic of Communion indicated by Luigino Bruni in the opening round table on innovation and creativity at Loppiano Lab. The road taken in the first twenty years since Chiara Lubich's intuition is notable: an average of 25 new businesses each year, 1 million 700 thousand Euro donated during the crisis, used to finance 1059 scholarships and 40 development projects throughout the world. But, above all, Bruni underlined that of the 7000 poor for which the project initially began, only 1500 of them remain in need.

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LoppianoLab is inaugurated. An original attempt to put together energy of thought and action, looking at Italy's needs.

At the Expo, they speak the language of sharing

By Pietro Parmense
Published on cittanuova.it on 17/09/2010

What beautiful people there were at the inauguration of LoppianoLab, which involves four subjects inspired by the Focolare: the small town of Loppiano, Lionello Bonfanti Business Park of the Economy of Communion, Sophia University Institute and Cittá Nuova Editorial Group. They are all involved in the "2010 Expo, businesses in a network: an innovative answer to the crisis", organized at Lionello Bonfanti business park of Loppiano (Incisa Valdarno). Beautiful people. First of all, in these days from September 16-19, many entrepreneurs want to highlight their commitment to a more livable economy and a more dynamic Italy. We're dealing with 50 Italian businesses of various types, adherents to the Economy of Communion project, who are presenting themselves in expositions, shows and round tables. There are businesses of civil economy who promote ideas and projects that bring about an economy at the service of the person and of society. It is a chance to exchange about energy and the environment, ethical finance and sustainability, social interventions and the promotion of health.

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